Innovation + Job News

Baltimore-based Bravo Health  announced Monday that the first Bravo Health Advanced Care Center  will open in Philadelphia in January 2010. The Center, an innovative, state-of-the-art outpatient physician practice designed to meet the health care needs of Bravo Health members, will be located in a new building being constructed at 1010 W. Lehigh Avenue in North Philadelphia.

Founded in 1996, Bravo Health provides Medicare beneficiaries access to high quality, cost-effective health care. With more than 300,000 members, Bravo Health offers Medicare Advantage health plans in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, D.C. Additionally, the company offers Part D Prescription Drug Plans in 43 states.

An extension of the member's primary care provider (PCP), the Center is intended to complement the PCP's care in two ways. First, it will offer immediate care for patient's experiencing a non-emergent health condition when the PCP does not have an available appointment or it is after hours. It will also provide care and physician-directed case managment for patients with complex conditions requiring significant time commitments that the patients' PCPs can't meet.

"This new innovative model of care signifies Bravo Health's deep commitment to its members in the Philadelphia area," says Andrew Aronson, MD, Vice President of Physician Practice Operations for the Center. "Our goal in establishing the Center is consistent with the health care agenda across the country: to achieve better quality and value for patients through the appropriate and efficient delivery of care."

The Center will be staffed by board certified or board eligible physicians who will work hand-in-hand with the member's PCP to assure immediate and complex health needs are met in the most effective way. Bravo Health Pennsylvania serves more than 40,000 members in the Philadelphia area.

"The Bravo Health Advanced Care Center will change the way health care is delivered," said Jason Feuerman, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Bravo Health Pennsylvania. "By assisting PCPs in closing some of the gaps to health care access, the Center is part of a well-planned continuum of health care delivery. The Center is a proactive, forward-thinking and responsive solution to our members' need for accessible, efficient health care."

There will be no co-pay, in accordance with the Bravo Health member's benefit plan, and no appointment will be necessary for immediate care services. Transportation arrangements will be available.

The company plans to open additional Centers in Bravo Health's markets. Plans are underway for another Center in West Philadelphia, as well as one in Baltimore, Maryland.

Source: Bravo Health
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered what could be the first conclusive evidence in men that the long-term effects of vitamin D deficiency are amplified by lower levels of the key sex hormone estrogen, but not testosterone.

In a national study of 1010 men, the scientists say the new findings build on previous studies showing that deficiencies in vitamin D and low levels of estrogen, found naturally in differing amounts in men and women, were independent risk factors for hardened and narrowed arteries and weakened bones. Vitamin D is an essential part to keeping the body healthy, and can be obtained from fortified foods, such as milk and cereals, and by exposure to sunlight.

"Our results confirm a long-suspected link and suggest that vitamin D supplements, which are already prescribed to treat osteoporosis, may also be useful in preventing heart disease," says Erin Michos, M.D., M.H.S, lead study investigator and cardiologist.

"All three steroid hormones � vitamin D, estrogen and testosterone � are produced from cholesterol, whose blood levels are known to influence arterial and bone health," says Michos, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and its Heart and Vascular Institute. "Our study gives us a much better understanding of how the three work in concert to affect cardiovascular and bone health."

The Hopkins team's latest data were provided by analyzing blood samples from a subset of men participating in a study on cancer. That study was part of a larger, ongoing national health survey involving both men and women and was designed to compare the risk of diseases between those with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D to those with higher amounts. An unhealthy deficiency, experts say, is considered blood levels of 20 nanograms per milliliter or lower.

The hormone levels of the men in the study were measured for both chemical forms of testosterone and estrogen found in blood, when each is either unattached or circulating freely, and when each is attached to a separate protein, known as sex hormone binding globulin, or SHBG for short.

Initial results showed no link between vitamin D deficiency and depressed blood levels of either hormone. And despite finding a harmful relationship between depressed testosterone levels and rates of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, as well as osteopenia in men, researchers found that it was independent of deficiencies in vitamin D.

However, when researchers compared ratios of estrogen to SHBG levels, they found that rates of both diseases, especially osteopenia, the early stage of osteoporosis, were higher when both estrogen and vitamin D levels were depressed.

For every single unit decrease in ratios of estrogen to SHBG (both in nanomoles per liter), men low in vitamin D showed an 89 percent increase in osteopenia, but men with sufficient vitamin D levels had a less worrisome 64 percent jump.

Using the same measure of estrogen levels, men low in vitamin D were also at heightened risk of cardiovascular diseases, at 12 percent, compared to men with adequate levels of the vitamin, at 1 percent, numbers that researchers say are still statistically significant.

"These results reinforce the message of how important proper quantities of vitamin D are to good bone health, and that a man's risk of developing osteoporosis and heart disease is heavily weighted on the complex and combined interaction of how any such vitamin deficits interact with both their sex hormones, in particular, estrogen," Michos says.

Michos recommends that men and women boost their vitamin D levels by eating diets rich in fatty fish, such as cod, sardines and mackerel, consuming fortified dairy products, taking vitamin supplements, and in warmer weather briefly exposing skin to the sun's vitamin-D producing ultraviolet light.

The study results was presented Nov. 15 at the American Heart Association's (AHA) annual Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Fla.

Source: Johns Hopkins University
Writer: Walaika Haskins

In an effort to help build up small businesses in Maryland, Gov. Martin O'Malley outlined a 10-point plan to strengthen small bus. Building off the progress of his newly formed Small Business Task Force, the plan calls for the creation of the Commission for Small Business and extending the Small Business Reserve program for six more years.

The 10 Point Strategy includes:

1. Creating Maryland's first ever Commission for Small Business, built upon the positive momentum of the Small Business Task Force created in July, giving the small business community a permanent sear at the table.

2. Expanding assistance to Maryland businesses through the Health Insurance Partnership, fulfilling our capacity to serve 1,500 businesses and 10,000 Marylanders with access to quality, affordable health insurance through employment at a Maryland small business.

3. Creating one, uniform loan application for any small business applying for state financing and streamline the state's permitting requirements to further reduce the red tape for Maryland small businesses.

4. Matching President Obama's commitment to waive borrowing fees for SBA loans on the state level, including fees for the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority, which has financed 26 businesses since July of 2007, providing nearly $5 million in assistance and helping these businesses create and retain 400 jobs.

5. Working with the Maryland Congressional delegation to secure greater capital from the federal government for our small businesses.

6. Expanding the state's efforts to advance Minority Business Enterprise, further enhancing the unprecedented efforts of the O'Malley-Brown Administration, which has set the highest MBE goal for state agencies in the nation, achieving 22% MBE participation across state government in FY09 and awarding $346 million to African American firms � a 30% increase from the previous year.

7. Setting aside a percentage of certain state contracts for small business through the Small Business Reserve Program, extending the program six more years, allowing Maryland small businesses to navigate the bidding process without being overwhelmed by the bidding power of large corporations.

8. Working with the federal government, through the Maryland Federal Facilities Task Force, to open up federal procurement and contracting opportunities for more Maryland businesses.

9. Working with the business community to find ways to do an even better job providing skills training and promoting career readiness in our schools, particularly as it relates to things like Career and Technology Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education.

10. Working with the business community to find a sustainable solution to the unemployment insurance challenges facing Maryland small businesses.

Source: Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Gov. Martin O'Malley, Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Gov. Jack Markell of Delaware have agreed on a tri-state partnership for the deployment of offshore wind energy in the Mid-Atlantic coastal region. The deal was sealed with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) creating a formal partnership that will build on the region's significant offshore wind resources to generate clean, renewable energy and a sustainable market that will bring new economic opportunities.

"Today marks another important step towards a clean energy future for our families and workers. The opportunity for renewable energy generation through off shore wind is outstanding," says Gov. O'Malley. "Our states share many common resources and opportunities. This collaboration will allow us to take full advantage of these opportunities and pool our collective abilities for not only a Smart, Green and Growing Maryland, but a cleaner and more sustainable region as well."

Through the MOU, the Mid-Atlantic States will focus on leveraging resources and information to bring offshore wind energy to the region, which in turn, will create green jobs for our workers and clean energy alternatives for our families and businesses. Immediate tasks under the MOU are to identify common transmission strategies for offshore wind energy deployment in the region, discuss ways to encourage sustainable market demand for this renewable resource and work collaboratively in pursuing federal energy policies which help advance offshore wind in the Mid-Atlantic area.

"With our extensive coastline and highly-educated workforce, Virginia is particularly well-suited to explore offshore wind energy opportunities," says Gov. Kaine. "In these tough economic times, it's more important than ever that we invest in renewable energy sources that will create jobs and provide cleaner, more affordable energy for our families and communities. One of the best things we can do to lift ourselves out of a challenging economy today is to invest in a greener, cleaner tomorrow."

The MOU also calls for examination of ways to coordinate regional supply chain facilities to secure supply, deployment, and operations and maintenance functions to support offshore wind energy facilities. Collaboration on strategies to utilize academic institutions to create standards and opportunities for training and workforce development will also be developed.

"With the only power purchase agreement in place for offshore wind in the United States, Delaware is poised to be the first state in the nation to develop an offshore wind farm, bringing clean power to the region and creating hundreds of jobs," says Gov. Markell. "This agreement will help us leverage the resources and energy of our three state governments to help our region become the true powerhouse for this important source of renewable, reliable alternative energy."

This coordinated effort will provide benefits for each state individually by efficiently targeting areas of common interest to the region. Moreover, this effort will greatly facilitate our regional engagement with federal entities such as the Minerals Management Service, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Defense.

Source: Office of the Gov. O'Malley
Writer: Walaika Haskins

And the winner is....the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) has won the nationwide contest, America's Greenest Campus. The contest challenged colleges to compete against each other to reduce their carbon footprints. UMCP took the prize for the school with the most participants with 2,257 participants and Rio Salado College won for the school with the most carbon reductions per participant, with more than 524 students participating and reducing their CO2 emissions on average by 4.40 percent. 

It is the first competition to measure the impact of everyday actions of campus community members, America's Greenest Campus began on March 31st, with support from its national spokesperson, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.

Over 460 schools and 20,000 students, faculty and alumni participated in the contest, reducing nearly 19 million pounds of CO2 from the environment, saving 28 million gallons of water and conserving 4.5 million kilowatts of electricity.

"We are extremely proud that the University of Maryland won the America's Greenest Campus contest. Young people have the power to transform the world when it comes to energy and climate change and this competition was a great way of empowering our campus community to take action to reduce our carbon footprint," says student organizer Joanna Calabrese. "We mobilized over 2,000 students to get involved, and we know we can do even more. But this was a great start."

America's Greenest Campus is a partnership between SmartPower, the nation's leading clean energy and energy efficiency marketing organization, and Climate Culture, the premier online carbon measurement and reduction utility, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy and partnerships with leading youth environmental groups such as the National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Student Coalition and the National Association of Environmental Law Societies.

"More than ever, young people are concerned about their impact on the environment and eager to improve their daily habits, and we created the America's Greenest Campus contest to provide a forum for that," says Tom Scaramellino, CEO of Efficiency 2.0, an energy efficiency startup that operates Climate Culture. "At 20,000 participants, this is the largest, most successful environmental contest ever among college students. We're so pleased with the results, we're gearing up for a second contest to take place in 2010."

The America's Greenest Campus contest also included the SmartPower Energy Smart Online Ad Challenge, which called for video submissions that promote the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency, for a $10,000 prize. The winning video will be announced December 5, 2009 and will be used in SmartPower's national advertising.

"Young people today are the largest wasters of energy in society, and through America's Greenest Campus, they are literally learning how to change their energy behavior," says Brian F. Keane, President of SmartPower. "Where they were once part of the climate problem -- now they are rapidly becoming a key part of the solution, learning how to conserve energy and change their behavior. They are leading the way -- and AGC is helping them get there!"

With their $5,000 winnings in hand, the University of Maryland will be providing support to their "Engaged University" program, a model community designed to influence the way the campus thinks about and engages in sustainable living and demonstrates the economic, social, and environmental benefits of long term sustainability.

Source: SmartPower
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Gov. Martin O'Malley has launched a new series of Maryland Economic Updates.  The intent is to provide a status update on Maryland's economy. The Governor's Economic Updates focus on such economic indicators as rising real estate sales, an unemployment rate consistently below the national average, and companies throughout Maryland announcing the hiring of additional staff.

"We learned this week that our national economy grew by three and a half percent in the third quarter, with economists now saying that things are moving in the right direction. This is encouraging news, yet all of us agree that we're not out of the woods yet," Gov. O'Malley says in his first online message. "While there is an emerging consensus that things are getting better we still have a ways to go. The good news is that the strengths, the potential, and the assets of innovation are right here, in Maryland."

The economic updates will include Maryland's latest economic news, including information on the State's unemployment rate, job growth and the local real estate market. The Governor will also highlight news on Maryland's businesses, including mergers, expansions, contracts and awards.

Governor O'Malley also noted this week's news that Black & Decker and Stanley Works will enter into a $4.5 billion merger. The Governor has directed Maryland economic officials to work with any and all impacted workers as the Department of Business and Economic Development remains engaged to ensure the Black & Decker power toll division remains in Towson.

"As we work to restore business confidence in Maryland, it is vital that we continue to tell Maryland's positive economic story and keep our finger on the pulse of the business community," says Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) Secretary Christian S. Johansson. "Governor O'Malley's weekly webcasts will complement DBED's ongoing efforts to inform our stakeholders about the things we are doing to grow business in Maryland."

Gov. O'Malley's weekly economic updates can be viewed here.

Source: DBED
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Getting around Downtown Annapolis just got cheaper. Bus riders can board any Annapolis Transit bus from Compromise Street (on the Annapolis side of the Spa Creek Bridge) to Westgate Circle, including Duke of Gloucester Street, Main, and West Streets and Church Circle, for free. However, passengers must be traveling within the Free Fare Zone for free travel. Passengers riding beyond Westgate Circle will be charged regular fare. Downtown bus routes include the Yellow, Gold, Brown and Green.

In addition, the Annapolis Transit also operates two FREE shuttles from the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, Navy Blue & State Shuttle

The Navy Blue Shuttle offers the best way for visitors to experience Annapolis without having to drive. Navy Blue goes to Historic Annapolis and Inner West Street.

The State Shuttle makes a constant loop between Navy Stadium and the legislative buildings. Although primarily a commuter tool for the hundreds of state employees located in Annapolis, anyone can catch the State Shuttle to access stadium parking.

The two shuttle systems complement one another, State Shuttle leaves every five minutes during peak rush hour and every 15 minutes all other times. Navy Blue leaves on the hour and half-hour. Together, the shuttles provide a consistent stream of transit service to the downtown area.

The buses operate, Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m.to 8:00 p.m. The State Shuttle runs until 10:00 p.m. on Monday's during legislative session. On weekends, Saturday and Sunday the buses operate from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Navy Blue Only), except during major holidays and special stadium events.


Source: Annapolis Transit
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust has selected Fastspot, an interactive agency based in Baltimore, to design and produce the Museum's new Website. Fastspot was chosen following a national search of leading interactive agencies as part of the Museum's re-invention of itself. In addition to renovating its Website, the Museum is constructing a new building to house its permanent exhibits and rich archives.

The Port of Baltimore is setting records again, namely an all-time cruise passenger record for one sailing. The record is for most cruise passengers in one calendar year. On a September 19th sailing of the Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas, the Port surpassed its previous mark of 104,253 embarked passengers set in 2004 during a year when the Port offered a then-record 60 cruises. Through October 22nd , a total of 125,248 passengers have left on cruises from the Cruise Maryland terminal at the Port of Baltimore.

"This sends a strong message to the international cruise industry that this port, this city, and this state can effectively handle an increased amount of cruise business," says Gov. Martin O'Malley. "Despite an extremely challenging economy, most of our cruises have sailed near maximum capacity. Our area's large population market and our cruise terminal's outstanding location right off Interstate 95 provide us unique advantages."

Through October 22nd , 60 cruises have sailed from Baltimore this year. A ship's total passenger capacity is based upon the number of available staterooms at dual occupancy per room. When a family of four occupies a stateroom, the dual capacity for that room is exceeded.

The Port's 81 homeport cruises in 2009 are expected to have an economic impact of some $152 million in its first year of all-seasonal cruising. In addition to year-round service provided by Carnival, other cruise lines sailing from the Cruise Maryland terminal this year are: Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Deilmann. This year, the Port expects about 165,000 passengers to cruise from Baltimore.

Last year, 27 cruises left from Baltimore with an economic impact of nearly $63 million. About 47,000 passengers cruised from the Port of Baltimore in 2008 when two cruise lines offered service. In 2010, the Port will offer a record 92 cruises, including additional year-round service from Royal Caribbean. The Port of Baltimore is the closest East Coast drive-to port from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Chicago. Baltimore is also within a three-hour drive from the New York City metro area. The Cruise Maryland terminal is
only 2.5 miles from Baltimore's world famous Inner Harbor, 10 miles from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, and
little more than an hour from three other major airports.

Source: Port of Baltimore
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), one of the federal agencies relocating to Fort Meade by October 2010, is currently seeking to fill a number of positions.

DISA, a Combat Support Agency, engineers and provides command and control capabilities and enterprise infrastructure to continuously operate and assure a global net-centric enterprise in direct support to joint warfighters, national level leaders, and other mission and coalition partners across the full spectrum of operations.

There are currently 44 positions available with the agency, both in the U.S. and abroad. Salaries for the positions range from the mid-30Ks to more than $100K.

The agency anticipates that it will have additional career opportunities in selected career fields. Those interested should monitor http://www.disa.mil/careers/index.html. For more information on future events, go to http://www.disa.mil/conferences.

Source: Defense Information Systems Agency
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Social Solutions, Inc.,provider of human and social service software,  opened its new headquarters at Baltimore Crosssroads@95 in Middle River. Social Solutions becomes the fourth corporate headquarters to locate in the 1,000 acre business park adjacent to Maryland Route 43.

"Social Solutions is a dynamic, forward thinking company," says Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith. "They are an outstanding addition to Baltimore County's technology community."

Social Solutions is leasing 17,915 square feet of office space on Williams Court from St. John Properties. Positioned off the new MD Route 43 extension that connects Eastern Boulevard with Interstate 95, Baltimore Crossroads@95 will have over five million square feet of commercial space at build out, as well as retail and hotel amenities.

Source: Baltimore County Development Corporation
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Cordish Co., a Baltimore-based developer, has been selected to develop Las Vegas Live!, a 20-acre sports venue and entertainment district in downtown Las Vegas.

The firm has 2 years to conduct a feasibility study, create planning documents and develop a public-private financing plan. The proposal is for a 20,000-seat sports arena that will house either an NBA or NHL franchise, it will also include a mixed-use entertainment district, hotel and casino.

Source: Cordish Co.
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Johns Hopkins materials scientists have found a new use for sodium beta-alumina, a chemical compound that has traditionally been thought of as an electrical conductor, a substance that allows electricity to flow through it. By orienting the compound in a different way, the researchers have turned it into a thin film insulator, which instead blocks the flow of electricity, but can induce large electric currents elsewhere. The material could have important applications in transistor technology and in devices such as electronic books.

The discovery is described in the November issue of the journal Nature Materials and appears in an early online edition.

"This form of sodium beta-alumina has some very useful characteristics," said Howard E. Katz, a professor of materials science and engineering who supervised the research team. "The material is produced in a liquid state, which means it can easily be deposited onto a surface in a precise pattern for the formation of printed circuits. But when it's heated, it forms a solid, thin transparent film. In addition, it allows us to operate at low voltages, meaning it requires less power to induce useful current.

That means its applications could operate with smaller batteries or be connected to a battery instead of a wall outlet."

The transparency and thinness of the material (the hardened film is only on the order of 100 atoms thick) make it ideal for use in the increasingly popular e-book readers, which rely on see-through screens and portable power sources, Katz said. He added that possible transportation applications include instrument readouts that can be displayed in the windshield of an aircraft or a ground vehicle.

The emergence of sodium beta-alumina as an insulator was a surprising development, Katz said. The compound, known for decades, has traditionally been used to conduct electricity and for this reason has been considered as a possible battery component. The material allows charged particles to flow easily parallel to a two-dimensional plane formed within its distinct atomic crystalline arrangement. "But we found that current does not flow nearly as easily perpendicular to the planes, or in unoriented material," Katz said. "The material acts as an insulator instead of a conductor. Our team was the first to exploit this discovery."

The Johns Hopkins researchers developed a method of processing sodium beta-alumina in a way that makes use of this insulation behavior occurring in the form of a thin film. Working with the Johns Hopkins Technology Transfer staff, Katz's team has filed for international patent protection for their discovery.

The lead author of the Nature Materials paper was Bhola N. Pal, who was a postdoctoral fellow in Katz's laboratory. In addition to Katz, who is chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the university's Whiting School of Engineering, the co-authors were Bal Mukund Dhar, a current doctoral student in the lab, and Kevin C. See, who recently completed his doctoral studies under Katz.

Funding for the research was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the National Science Foundation.

Source: Johns Hopkins University
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Gov Martin O'Malley unveiled a new publication designed to provide insight and instruction on best practices to foster Smart, Green & Growing planning and revitalization activities in Maryland's cities and towns.

Developed jointly by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), "Going Green Downtown: A Sustainability Guide for Maryland's Main Streets" (the "Green Guide") is intended to give communities throughout the state an important set of principles, guidelines, and examples of how to pursue and implement sustainable practices that focus on environmental conservation and economic growth.

"Over the past 30 years, the increase in Maryland's population has led to rapid consumption of land, pulling vital resources and people away from traditional business districts," said Governor O'Malley. "Increasingly, these trends of sprawl and chronic overdevelopment threaten not only the economic survival of our cities and towns, but also our environment and the health of the Chesapeake Bay. With the Smart, Green & Growing initiative and tools like this new guide, we will promote sustainable growth, protecting our natural resources and strengthening the character and economic vitality of our communities for future generations."

The advice and insight found in the Green Guide is based in large part on expertise of DHCD and DNR, as well as the best practices of the 23 designated communities under the Main Street Maryland program, but it has been written to be applicable to any Maryland community that seeks to "Go Green." The guide provides cities and towns with advice to address challenges like increasing population, rising energy costs, limited resources, water and air pollution, and climate change, and it provides information on available State programs and resources.

"Main Street Maryland has been an extremely effective program for comprehensive downtown revitalization," said DHCD Secretary Raymond A. Skinner. "By promoting these successful practices, we hope to provide a comprehensive set of examples to encourage green approaches and environmental protections that will also foster neighborhood revitalization and economic growth."

Sustainable and green communities seek to conserve resources; provide open spaces and parks for recreation and cultivation; offer multiple options for transportation; and use natural and cultural resources wisely to conserve for future generations. Specific areas addressed by the Green Guide include:

• Green building
• Historic preservation
• The "3 R's" � Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Energy conservation
• Planting trees and creating green space
• Water conservation and stormwater management
• Sustainable transportation options and alternatives
• Engaging citizens in green events and practices

"Each of us has a role to play in helping to create a smarter, greener future for our State," said DNR Secretary John Griffin. "Our Going Green Downtown Guide � which was federally funded through our Coastal Zone Management Program � will help our communities take their sustainability efforts to the next level, and hopefully inspire individual citizens to do the same."

The Green Guide has already been lauded by National Trust Main Street Center Director Doug Loescher who called it, "one of the nation's most comprehensive guides yet produced on this topic that could serve as a great model for other states to emulate." To provide additional support and promotion of the concepts outlined in the Green Guide, DHCD and DNR have offered several training sessions over the past year including: Creating Green Spaces in Your Main Street; Historic Preservation & Green; Greening Main Street Merchants; Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; and Green Building Certification: How to Get It and Use It. A second round of trainings kicked off in September with an educational session on stormwater management.

For more information or to download a copy of the Green Guide. News updates also are available by following DHCD on Twitter and Facebook.

Click here to download Going Green Downtown: A Sustainability Guide for Maryland's Main Streets

Source: Gov. Martin O'Malley
Writer: Walaika Haskins